Improvement in tent-frames



UNITED STATES WM. H. CLARK, OF CINCINNATI, OHIO.

IMPROVEMENT IN TENT-FRAMES.

Specilication forming part of Letters Patent No. 49,605, dated August 29, 1865.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, WILLIAM H. CLARK, ot' Cincinnati, in the county of Hamilton and State of Chio, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Tent-Frames; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description thereof, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, making partof this specification.

My invention relates to that class of tents known as wall-tents, the object ot my improvements being to insure a greater solidity and firmness ofthe tent, and also to dispense with the objectionable center-pole,whieh is well known to occupy the most important and convenient portion ofthe area ot' wall-tents.

Figure l is a perspective view of a tent-frame embodying my improvements, the frame being distended to receive the canvas covering; and Fig. 2 represents the saine when folded up ready for transportation.

A A A A arejointed legs which compose the frame of the tent. The upper ends of said legs are connected by hinges B B to the sleeve C. The legs are also hinged at D so as to form two sections, the upper ones supporting the canvas roof of the tent, and the lower portions form what is known as the wall.

E E', &c., are india-rubber or leather guards, which prevent the canvas from being worn out by rubbing and chatlug at the joints of the legs,s and which also actas ligatures to hold the trarne rigidly in shape.

The lower ends ot1 the legs are shod with ferrules F, having staplesf to receive the cord which is iove into the bottom of the canvas. Another cord may pass through the staplesf and besecured to pins driven in the ground, Which willpreventthelegs from being displaced or lifted by a sudden gust of wind.

Gr is a shaft or stem which moves freely in the sleeve C, and is retained in a proper position by the catch c and spring g.

The shaft G is provided with a collar, H, to which one ofthe ends of the braces I I I I are pivoted, and the other ends are secured to the upper portions of the legs A A', dto., at the joints J J/ Jll J.

K K K K are guys secured to the upper end of the shaft G and attached to pins driven iirnily in the ground.

The dotted lines L L L L represent the bottom edge of a tly or covering,which may be attached to the guys K in order to screen the top of the tent from the sun, rain, and other inclemencies ofthe weather.

Operation: .Ihe tent-frame being folded up anti laid on the ground in a horizontal position, the canvas covering is slipped over it and secured at the bottom to the staplesff, tbc., alter which the frame is raised to a vertical position. rlhe lower end of the legs A A', Snc., are now extended as far as the canvas will permit, and the shaft G being drawn down until the spring g engages with the catch c the canvas covering is thoroughly and uniformly distended, and the tent is at once ready to be occupied.

When a square tent is desired, only four jointed legs are needed, but six or eight may be used, according to the shape desired; or a suficient number may be employed so as to produce a circular tent. f

I claim herein as new and ot' my invention- The combination of the shaft G with the hinged legs A, sleeve C, and rods Lwhen constructed and applied as herein described, so that in the extended condition of the frame the said shaft will extend above the frame for the attachment of guys.

In testimony of which invention I hereunto set my hand.

WM. H. CLARK.

Witnesses:

J AMES H. LAYMAN, GEO. H. KNIGHT. 

